Kylian Mbappé has added another remarkable achievement to his career by becoming the first player in 60 years to finish as the top scorer in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup in the same season, reigniting debate over whether he should finally win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The Real Madrid forward claimed the Pichichi Trophy after scoring 25 La Liga goals, finished as the Champions League’s leading scorer with 15 goals, and secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after netting 10 times for France. His brace against England in the World Cup third-place playoff also saw him become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 career goals, surpassing the previous record.
Mbappé’s individual numbers have been extraordinary despite a season that ended without major team silverware. Real Madrid failed to win a trophy under José Mourinho’s first campaign, while France settled for third place after losing to England in the bronze-medal match. Those disappointments have fuelled debate over whether team honours should outweigh unprecedented individual performances in Ballon d’Or voting.
The feat is particularly significant because no player has achieved this scoring treble since Eusébio in 1966, placing Mbappé in rare company. His consistency across domestic, European and international competitions has led many supporters to argue that his goalscoring achievements should carry enough weight to earn him football’s biggest individual prize when the Ballon d’Or is awarded on 26 October in London.
However, the race remains far from settled. Spain’s World Cup triumph has boosted the credentials of stars such as Lamine Yamal, while Harry Kane and several PSG players are also among the leading contenders after trophy-winning campaigns. Analysts believe this year’s Ballon d’Or could become one of the closest contests in recent memory, with voters weighing historic individual records against collective success.
